Drug Uses
Fioricet is a barbiturate sedative mixed with a
non-aspirin pain medication and caffeine. This
non-narcotic pain medication and relaxant is often
prescribed for tension headaches caused by contractions
of the muscles in the neck and shoulder area, and
migraine.
How Taken
Fioricet comes as a capsule and tablet to take by
mouth. One or 2 tablets every 4 hours as needed. Total
daily dosage should not exceed 6 tablets. Extended and
repeated use of this product is not recommended because
of the potential for physical dependence.
Warnings/Precautions
Fioricet may cause you to become drowsy or less
alert; therefore, driving or operating dangerous
machinery or participating in any hazardous activity
that requires full mental alertness is not recommended
until you know your response to this drug. If you are
being treated for severe depression or have a history of
severe depression or drug abuse, consult with your
doctor before taking Fioricet. Use this drug with
caution if you are elderly or in a weakened condition,
if you have liver or kidney problems, or if you have
severe abdominal trouble. If you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
Fioricet can affect a developing baby. It also appears
in breast milk. If this medication is essential to your
health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue
breastfeeding your baby until your treatment is
finished.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it.
However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and continue your regular dosing
schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a
missed one.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or
change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as
possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe
for you to continue taking Fioricet. More common side
effects may include: Abdominal pain, dizziness,
drowsiness, intoxicated feeling, light-headedness,
nausea, sedation, shortness of breath, vomiting. Less
common or rare side effects may include: Agitation,
allergic reactions, constipation, depression, difficulty
swallowing, dry mouth, earache, exaggerated feeling of
well-being, excessive sweating, excessive urination,
excitement, fainting, fatigue, fever, flatulence,
headache, heartburn, heavy eyelids, high energy, hot
spells, itching, leg pain, mental confusion, muscle
fatigue, numbness, rapid heartbeat, ringing in the ears,
seizure, shaky feeling, skin redness and/or peeling,
sluggishness, stuffy nose, tingling.
Storage
Store below 86?F (30?C); dispense in a tight
container and out of reach of children.
Overdose
An overdose of Fioricet, or combining this medication
with alcohol or other central nervous system depressant,
may lead to unconsciousness or perhaps death. Fioricet
overdose is indicated by severe drowsiness, confusion,
extreme weakness, hallucination, shortness of breath,
too slow or troubled breathing, slurred speech, lack of
coordination, vomiting with blood, unusually slow
heartbeat.
More Information
Do not take Fioricet if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days. Dangerous
side effects could result. Fioricet may increase the
effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including
antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives
(used to treat insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about
all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any
medicine unless your doctor approves.
Disclaimer
This drug information is for your information
purposes only, it is not intended that this information
covers all uses, directions, drug interactions,
precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This
is only general information, and should not be relied on
for any purpose. It should not be construed as
containing specific instructions for any particular
patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy
and reliability of this information, and/or any
consequences arising from the use of this information,
including damage or adverse consequences to persons or
property, however such damages or consequences arise. No
warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in
regards to this information.
Following information is from rxlist
SIDE EFFECTS
Frequently Observed
The most frequently reported adverse reactions are drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and intoxicated feeling.
Infrequently Observed
All adverse events tabulated below are classified as infrequent.
Central Nervous System: headache, shaky feeling, tingling, agitation, fainting, fatigue, heavy eyelids, high energy, hot spells, numbness, sluggishness, seizure. Mental confusion, excitement, or depression can also occur due to intolerance, particularly in elderly or debilitated patients, or due to overdosage of butalbital.
Autonomic Nervous System: dry mouth, hyperhidrosis.
Gastrointestinal: difficulty swallowing, heartburn, flatulence, constipation.
Cardiovascular: tachycardia.
Musculoskeletal: leg pain, muscle fatigue.
Genitourinary: diuresis.
Miscellaneous: pruritus, fever, earache, nasal congestion, tinnitus, euphoria, allergic reactions.
Several cases of dermatological reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme, have been reported.
The following adverse drug events may be borne in mind as potential effects of the components of this product. Potential effects of high dosage are listed in the OVERDOSAGE section.
Acetaminophen: allergic reactions, rash, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis.
Caffeine: cardiac stimulation, irritability, tremor, dependence, nephrotoxicity, hyperglycemia.
DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE
Abuse and Dependence
Butalbital
Barbiturates may be habit-forming: Tolerance, psychological dependence, and physical dependence may occur especially following prolonged use of high doses of barbiturates. The average daily dose for the barbiturate addict is usually about 1500 mg. As tolerance to barbiturates develops, the amount needed to maintain the same level of intoxication increases; tolerance to a fatal dosage, however, does not increase more than two-fold. As this occurs, the margin between an intoxication dosage and fatal dosage becomes smaller. The lethal dose of a barbiturate is far less if alcohol is also ingested. Major withdrawal symptoms (convulsions and delirium) may occur within 16 hours and last up to 5 days after abrupt cessation of these drugs. Intensity of withdrawal symptoms gradually declines over a period of approximately 15 days. Treatment of barbiturate dependence consists of cautious and gradual withdrawal of the drug. Barbiturate-dependent patients can be withdrawn by using a number of different withdrawal regimens. One method involves initiating treatment at the patient's regular dosage level and gradually decreasing the daily dosage as tolerated by the patient.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
The CNS effects of butalbital may be enhanced by monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
Butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine may enhance the effects of: other narcotic analgesics, alcohol, general anesthetics, tranquilizers such as chlordiazepoxide, sedative-hypnotics, or other CNS depressants, causing increased CNS depression.
Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions
Acetaminophen may produce false-positive test results for urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid.
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